Labor MPs gather daylight saving data from electorates

CM

LABOR MPs have been ordered to compile a database of opinions about daylight saving from their electorates. 

Premier Anna Bligh's media unit has issued MPs with a formal spreadsheet to be completed with the names, email addresses and employment status of respondents.

Constituents are to be asked two questions – the first on whether Queensland should have a referendum on a southeast corner time zone and a second on whether a trial should precede such a vote.

Answers are counted in either the "Yes" or "No" columns on the spreadsheet, allowing the Government to eventually compile results from all 55 electorates held by Labor.

Liberal National MPs are not surveying their electorates after leader John-Paul Langbroek dismissed the option of splitting the state into two time zones during summer.

The compiling of the database follows Ms Bligh's decision to reopen the door to daylight saving after previously rejecting the perennial issue.

In an email obtained by The Courier-Mail, one of Ms Bligh's media advisers gave MPs explicit instructions on how to complete the spreadsheet.

She also told them to include email correspondence.

"If you feel comfortable, send them a return email for further details," she said. "If you do not wish to email them back, you can leave the other columns blank."

Ms Bligh yesterday said that she had also asked her MPs to doorknock, hold street stalls and canvass locals at functions and events.

"Members in the regions have a good feel for their constituents' views on daylight saving," she said. "But we are actively encouraging people in all areas to get in touch with their MPs' offices and the majority of people will probably do that by telephone.

"It's critical we get the views of all Queenslanders on this issue and by offering our MPs a spreadsheet, they can use it to collect that information in a useable form."

The database is likely to be used by the Government to decide how to vote on legislation for a daylight saving referendum proposed by Independent MP Peter Wellington.

He proposed holding a vote on daylight saving at the same time as the next state election but, if the Government proceeds, it will almost certainly amend the Bill to avoid the divisive issue emerging during campaigning.